Device for use in the construction of truss members

ABSTRACT

A device for applying horizontal compression to a truss member as the truss member passes through a vertical roller press for applying vertical compression thereto. The device includes press members for applying the horizontal compression to the truss member and includes activating means for causing the press means to apply horizontal compression to the truss member only while the vertical roller press is applying vertical compression thereto.

United States Patent 1191 Bailey 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 1 DEVICE FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRUSS MEMBERS {75] Inventor: Robert S. Bailey, Memphis, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: H. W. Jenkins Co., Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: July 19, 1974 E21] App]. No.: 489,995

[52] US. Cl. 100/155; 100/49; 100/DIG. 13 [51] Int. Cl. B30B 3/04 [58] Field of Search 100/155, DIG. 13, 49, 173,

lOO/1'76; 198/165, 202; 226/17 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,168 11/1955 Lindstaedt et al. 198/165 2,835,376 5/1958 Alessi et al. 3,855,917 12/1974 Farrell et al. lOO/DIG. 13

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,553,515 l/1969 France 198/127 Primary Examiner-Richard IE. Aegerter Assistant Examiner-L. Footland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-.Iolhn R. Walker, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A device for applying horizontal compression to a truss member asthe truss member passes through a vertical roller press for applying vertical compression thereto. The device includes press members for applying the horizontal compression to the truss member and includes activating means for causing the press means to apply horizontal compression to the truss member only while the vertical roller press is applying vertical compression thereto.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I 1' p 35 )3 11 Iii I i 29 I i I 37 S J/LI i 11 n33 DEVICE FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRUSS MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates, generally, to devices for use in the construction of truss members and, more specifically, to devices for applying compression to the truss members to anchor the individual components of each truss member together.

2. Description of the Prior Art The following patents relate to devices and methods for use in the construction of truss members: Sanford, U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,694; Sanford, U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,943; Groat, U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,323; McGlinchey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,348; Moehlenpah, U.S. Pat.

No. 3,389,528; and Sanford, U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,703. None of the above patents disclose or suggest the present invention.

The present invention is for use in the construction of truss members such as disclosed by Schmitt, U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,612. In this type truss member, anchor plates are provided to join the individual components together. That is, projections or teeth extend outwardly from one face of the anchor plates to allow the anchor plates to fixedly attached two or more individual components of a truss member together. The anchor plates distribute the load stress at each joint in a truss member over a relatively large area thereby increasing the strnegth of the joint. However, considerably more pressure is required to apply such anchor plates to the truss member than can be readily applied by a man with a hammer. Thus, means such as the vertical roller press 148 of the 694 patent have been developed to apply anchor plates to the joints of a truss member. Such vertical roller presses apply sufficient vertical compression to the truss member and anchor plates to fixedly attach the individual components of the truss member together by means of the anchor plate. However, problems arise with the use of such vertical roller presses concerning the difficulty of maintaining the individual components of the truss member in perfect alignment as they pass through the vertical roller press. That is,

the individual components of a truss member have a natural tendency to spread apart in a horizontal directifon as the vertical roller press applies vertical compjression thereto. In the past, various attempts have been made to alleviate this problem. For example, in the 694 and 943 patents, an auxiliary press is used to substantially set the anchor plates into the truss members while the truss member remains stationary in an aligned position on supporting stations prior to being passed through the vertical roller press so that the outward movement of the individual components of the truss member is restricted as the truss member passes through the vertical roller press. Another attempt to overcome this problem widely practiced in the art is to first assemble and fixedly clamp the truss member on a supporting plate. Next, anchor plates are then placed over the joints between the individual components on the top side of the truss member. The truss member and supporting plate are then passed through the vertical roller press to fixedly attach the anchor plates to the top of the truss member. Next, the truss member is turned over on the supporting plate, reclamped thereto, and anchor plates are placed over the joints now on the top side of the truss member. The truss member and supporting plate is then again passed through the vertical roller press to fixedly attach the anchor plates to the now top side of the truss member thereby fixedly attaching the individual components of the truss member together. Such solutions are disadvantageous in thatthey require relatively complicated and time consuming procedures and are therefore expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the problems and disadvantages in the construction of truss members. The concept of the present invention is to provide a device for applying horizontal compression to a truss member as the truss member passes through a vertical roller press for applying vertical compression thereto.

More specifically, the present invention provides a device including press means extending between the upper and lower rollers of a vertical roller press for selectively applying horizontal compression to the truss member as the truss member passes through the vertical roller press and including activating means for causing the press means to move from a first position out of engagement with the truss member to a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member as the truss member is compressively engaged by the vertical roller press.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention shown in combination with a vertical roller press and a truss member.

FIG. 2 is a view of the aft end of the device of the present invention shown in combination with a vertical roller press and a truss member.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device of the present invention as taken on line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a portion of the activating means of the device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device 11 of the present invention is for use with a vertical roller press 13 in the construction of a truss member 15. The .truss member 15 is preferably a floor truss such as disclosed in the Schmitt reference and includes a first chord member 17, a second chord member 19, and a plurality of web members 21 joining the first and second chord members 17, 19 together. A plurality of anchor plates 23 are positioned over the joints between the first chord member 17, second chord member 19, and web members 23 to anchor the individual components together. The anchor plates 23 are of a well-known type having a plurality of downwardly directed teeth for extending into the individual components of the truss member 15 to anchor the individual components together. The vertical roller press 13 includes a first, upper horizontal roller 25 and a second, lower horizontal roller 27 for applying vertical pressure to the truss member 15 when the truss member 15 passes therebetween. Preferably, the first and second horizontal rollers 25, 27 are driven by means, not shown and well known to those skilled in the art, in opposite directions to cause the first member 15 to be pulled therethrough when placed thereinbetween. The first and second horizontal rollers 25, 27 are preferably mounted ona frame 29'which spaces thefirst and second horizontal rollers 25,:27 apart a distance equal to the width of the truss member so that the vertical roller press 13 applies vertical compression to the truss member 15 without crushing the individual components thereof.

The device 11 of the present invention includes frame means 31 positioned circumjacent the vertical roller press 13. More specifically, the frame means 31 includes a fore support member 33 positioned on the fore side of the vertical roller press 13 and includes an aft support member 35 positioned on the aft side of the vertical roller press 13. The frame means 31 includes a first body member 37 for anchoring a first side of the fore support member 33 to a first side of the aft support member 35 and includes a second body member 39 for anchoring a second side of the fore support member 33 to a second side of the aft support member 35. The first and second body members 37, 39 extend between the first and second horizontal rollers 25, 27 of the vertical roller press 13 without engagement therewith.

The device 11 of the present invention also includes press means attached to the frame means 31. The press means includes a first press member 41 having a fore end41": and an aft end 41" and includes a second press member 43 having a fore end 43' and an aft end 43". T he aft end 4l""of the first press member 41 is pivotally attached at a pivot pin 45 to the first body member 37 adjacent the aft support member 35. Likewise, the aft end 43" of the second press member 43 is pivotally attached at a pivot pin 46 to the second body member 39 adjacent the aft support member 35. The fore ends 41', 43 of the first and second press members 41, 43 are preferably angled outwardly to provide guide means for allowing the truss member 15 to be easily insertedbetween the first and second press members 41, 43 and between the first and second horizontal rollers 25, 27 of the vertical roller press 13. The first press member 41 includes a first roller member 47 for selectively contacting the first chord member 17 of the truss member 15. Likewise, the second press member 43 includes a second roller member 49 for selectively contacting the second chord member 19 of the truss member 15. The first and second roller members 47, 49 of the first and second press members 41, 43 coact together to apply substantially frictionless horizontal compression to the truss member 15.

The device 11 also includes activating means for causing the press means to move from a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member 15 to a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member 15 when the truss member 15 is in "compressive engagement with the vertical roller press 13. The activating means includes a first piston position to the second position when the truss member,

15 passes through the pressmeans and from the second position to the first position after the truss member 15 passes through the press means. The switch'means includes feeler members 55 for movement betweenup positions while the truss member 15 passes through the press means and down positions before and after the 4 truss member 15 passes through the press means. The switch means is preferably provided with a counterweight member 56 for biasing the feeler members 55 in the down position. The switch means also includes control means 57 for causing the first and second piston members 51, 53 to move the first and second press members 41, 43 to the second position when the feeler members 55 are in the up position and to the first position when the feeler members 55 are in the down position. More specifically, the first and second piston members 51, 53 are preferably pneumatically powered and the control means 57 includes a'cam member 59 attached to the feeler members 55 through a shaft 61 for movement therewith and includes a valve member 63 of a well known type to those skilled in the art controlled by the cam member 59 for regulating the pneumatic flow to the first and second piston members 5 1, 53. The valve member 63 is provided with an actuating arm 65 having a cam follower portion 67 for coacting engagement with the cam member 59 to regulate the valve member 63 so that when the feeler members'SS are in a down position out of contact with 'the truss member 15 the valve member'63 causes the pneumatic flow through conduits and from a pneumatic source, not shown, to the first and second piston members 51, 53 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art to cause the first and second piston members 51, 53 to move the first and second press members 41, 43 to'the first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member 15 and so that when the feeler members 55 are in the up position contacting the truss member 15 the valve member 63 causes the pneumatic flow to the first and second piston members 51, 53 to cause the first and second piston members 51, 53 to move the first and second press members 41, 43to the second position in compressive engagement with the tru's member 15.

The use of the device 11 of the present invention in the construction of truss members "15 is quite simple. First, the individual components of the truss member 15 are assembled in the desired position relative to each other and anchor plates 23 are applied to the joints between the individual components by hand on the top and bottom sides of the truss member 15. Next, the truss member 15 is inserted into the vertical roller press 13 between the first horizontal roller 35 and second horizontal roller 27 and between the first press member 41 and second press member 43 of the device 11. As the fore end of the truss member 15 passes through the vertical roller press 13, it contacts the feeler members 55 of the device 11 moving the feeler members 55 from the down position to the up position causing the first and second press members 41, 43 to move from the first position to the second position in compressive engagement with the truss member 15. Vertical compression is then appliedto the truss member 15 by the vertical roller press 13 causing 'the anchor plates 23 to fixedly anchor the individual components of the truss member 15 together and horizontal compression is applied to the truss member 15 by the device ll preventing any horizontal spreading of the individual components of the truss member 15 as it passes through theverticalroller press 13.

As thus constructed and used, the device 11 of the present invention prevents any horizontal spreading of the individual components of'a truss member as anchor plates are being fixedly attached to the truss member by a vertical roller press. In addition, the device 11 allows'the anchor plates to be fixedly attached tothe truss member with' more strength and wit'hless complicated procedures than heretofore possible. Y I

Although the invention hasbeen described and illustrated with respect to a preferred emb odiment'thereof,

it is not to "be so limited since changes and-modificw,

tions may be made therein which arewithin the-full intended scope of the invention. V

I claim: I 2

1; Device for use with a vertical roller press in the construction of a truss member, said device comprising: c

a. a press means for selectively applying horizontal compression to the truss member;

b. activating means for causing said press means to move from a first position, out of compressive engagement with thetruss member to asecondposition in compressive engagement with the truss members asthe truss member is compressively engaged by the vertical roller press, said press means including afirst press member for selectively contacting a first side of the trussmember and a second press member for selectively contacting a second side of the truss member, said first andsecond press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member; and

c. frame means with each of said firstand second press members including fore and aft ends and said aft end being pivotally mounted to said frame means, said activating means including a first piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said first press member and a second piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said second press member for moving said first and second press members between the first and second positions,

fore and aft ends of each press member for apply- 7 ing compressive pressure to the truss member when said first and second press members are in the second position.

2. Device for use with a vertical roller press in the construction of a truss member, said device comprising: 1

.a. press means for selectively applying horizontal compression to the truss member;

b. activating means for causing said press means to move from a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member to a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member as the truss member is compressively engaged by the vertical roller press, said press means including a first press member for selectively contactinga first side of the truss member and a second press member for selectively contacting a second side of the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontruss member passes through said press means and in cludes control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when said feeler members are irithe up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position.

4. The: device of claim 3 in which said switch means includes a counterweight member for biasing said feeler members in the down position.

5. Thedevice of claim 3 in which said first and second piston meansare pneumatically powered and in whic hqsaid controlmeans includes a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and includes a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means. i a a i v 6.'Device for use with a vertical roller press having upper and lower rollers for receiving a truss member therebetween and for applying vertical compression to the truss member in the construction thereof, said device comprising:

a. frame means for positioning circumjacent the vertical roller press;

b. press means for attaching to said frame means, said press means including a first press member and a second press member extending between the upper and lower rollers of the vertical roller press, each of said press members including fore and aft ends with said aft end pivotally mounted to said frame means, each of said press members having a roller member positioned intermediate said fore and aft ends for selectively contacting the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member to prevent horizontal spreading of the truss member as it is vertically compressed by the vertical rolfirst and second press members respectively for moving said press members between a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member and a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member, said activating means including switch means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when the truss member passes through said press means and to the first position before and after the truss member passes through said press means, said switch means including feeler members for movement between an up position while the truss member passes through said press means and a down position before and afterthe truss member passes through said press means and ,including control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when said feeler mem bers are in the up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position, said control means including a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and including a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means. 7. In a truss construction system of the type including a vertical roller press having upper and lower rollers for receiving a truss member therebetween and for applying vertical compression to the truss member in the construction thereof, the combination with the vertical roller press of a device for applying horizontal compression to the truss member, said device comprising:

a. frame means positioned circumjacent the vertical roller press; b. press means attached to said frame means, said press means including a first press member and a second press member extending between the upper and lower rollers of the vertical roller press, each of c. activating means for causing said press means to selectively contact the truss member to apply horizontal compression thereto, said activating means including first and second pneumatic piston members mounted between said frame means and said first and second press members respectively for moving said press members between a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member and a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member, said activating means including switch means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when the truss member passes through said press means and to the first position before and after the truss member passes through said press means, said switch means including feeler members for movement between an up position while the truss member passes through said press means and a down position before and after the truss member passes through said press means and including control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press mem bers to the second position when said feeler members are in the up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position,

said control means including a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and including a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means. 

1. Device for use with a vertical roller press in the construction of a truss member, said device comprising: a. press means for selectively applying horizontal compression to the truss member; b. activating means for causing said press means to move from a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member to a second position in compressive engagement with the truss members as the truss member is compressively engaged by the vertical roller press, said press means including a first press member for selectively contacting a first side of the truss member and a second press member for selectively contacting a second side of the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member; and c. frame means with each of said first and second press members including fore and aft ends and said aft end being pivotally mounted to said frame means, said activating means including a first piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said first press member and a second piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said second press member for moving said first and second press members between the first and second positions, each of said first and second press members including a roller member positioned intermediate said fore and aft ends of each press member for applying compressive pressure to the truss member when said first and second press members are in the second position.
 2. Device for use with a vertical roller press in the construction of a truss member, said device comprising: a. press means for selectively applying horizontal compression to the truss member; b. activating means for causing said press means to move from a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member to a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member as the truss member is compressively engaged by the vertical roller press, said press means including a first press member for selectively contacting a first side of the truss member and a second press member for selectively contacting a second side of the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member; and c. frame means with each of said first and second press members including fore and aft ends and said aft end being pivotally mounted to said frame means, said activating means including a first piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said first press member and a second piston member mounted between said frame means and said fore end of said second press member for moving said first and second press members between the first and second positions, said activating means including switch means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members from the first position to the second position when the truss member passes through said press means and from the second position to the first position after the truss member passes through said press means.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which said switch means includes feeler members for movement between an up position while the truss member passes through said press means and a down position before and after the truss member passes through said press means and includes control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when said feeler members are in the up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position.
 4. The device of claim 3 in which said switch means includes a counterweight member for biasing said feeler members in the down position.
 5. The device of claim 3 in which said first and second piston means are pneumatically powered and in which said control means includes a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and includes a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means.
 6. Device for use with a vertical roller press having upper and lower rollers for receiving a truss member therebetween and for applying vertical compression to the truss member in the construction thereof, said device comprising: a. frame means for positioning circumjacent the vertical roller press; b. press means for attaching to said frame means, said press means including a first press member and a second press member extending between the upper and lower rollers of the vertical roller press, each of said press members including fore and aft ends with said aft end pivotally mounted to said frame means, each of said press members having a roller member positioned intermediate said fore and aft ends For selectively contacting the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member to prevent horizontal spreading of the truss member as it is vertically compressed by the vertical roller press; and c. activating means for causing said press means to selectively contact the truss member to apply horizontal compression thereto, said activating means including first and second pneumatic piston members mounted between said frame means and said first and second press members respectively for moving said press members between a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member and a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member, said activating means including switch means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when the truss member passes through said press means and to the first position before and after the truss member passes through said press means, said switch means including feeler members for movement between an up position while the truss member passes through said press means and a down position before and after the truss member passes through said press means and including control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when said feeler members are in the up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position, said control means including a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and including a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means.
 7. In a truss construction system of the type including a vertical roller press having upper and lower rollers for receiving a truss member therebetween and for applying vertical compression to the truss member in the construction thereof, the combination with the vertical roller press of a device for applying horizontal compression to the truss member, said device comprising: a. frame means positioned circumjacent the vertical roller press; b. press means attached to said frame means, said press means including a first press member and a second press member extending between the upper and lower rollers of the vertical roller press, each of said press members including fore and aft ends with said aft end pivotally mounted to said frame means, each of said press members having a roller member positioned intermediate said fore and aft ends for selectively contacting the truss member, said first and second press members coacting together to apply horizontal compression to the truss member; and c. activating means for causing said press means to selectively contact the truss member to apply horizontal compression thereto, said activating means including first and second pneumatic piston members mounted between said frame means and said first and second press members respectively for moving said press members between a first position out of compressive engagement with the truss member and a second position in compressive engagement with the truss member, said activating means including switch means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when the truss member passes through said press means and to the first position before and after the truss member passes through said press means, said switch means including feeler members for movement between an up position while the truss member passes through said press means and a down position before and after the truss member passes through said press means and including control means for causing said first and second piston members to move said first and second press members to the second position when said feeler members are in the up position and to the first position when said feeler members are in the down position, said contrOl means including a cam member attached to said feeler members for movement therewith and including a valve member controlled by said cam member for regulating the pneumatic flow to said piston means. 